Local stars part of proud UMass football tradition

AMHERST -- The University of Massachusetts is taking a major leap this season, moving up to join the Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-A.

UMass has a long history of utilizing local talent in its ranks, and before the Minutemen begin a new era when they kick off the season Aug. 30 against host Connecticut, it seems worthwhile to take a look back at some of the local stars who contributed to the Maroon and White's success over the years.

Most notable is former Leominster High quarterback Dave Palazzi, who coached Leominster High to a Super Bowl victory last season and has his name all over the UMass record book. Additionally impressive, there were a handful of local players making a major impact on the Minutemen's 1998 Division I-AA National Championship team, as well as a potent running back duo that made headlines just a short time ago.

"I think it's great that UMass is moving to Division 1 and being able to play the top teams in the country," Palazzi said. "Twenty-five years ago, the I-AA and I-A disparity was a little greater than it is today. I'm really excited that they are going to go into Division 1 and competing for bowl games.

"We had a lot of Central Mass. players at UMass. Leominster really filled that roster, as well as Hudson and other schools from the area. UMass did a good job of recruiting from Central Mass.

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and hopefully it continues."

Palazzi took over starting QB duties as a redshirt freshman and played for the Minutemen from 1985-88. He is in the top 10 in eight career individual records for the Minutemen.

Palazzi holds the third-highest all-time program marks in passing attempts (783), completions (415) and passing yards (5,461) in his career. With so many attempts, it's not a surprise that Palazzi suffered his share of interceptions, as well. His 46 interceptions thrown leave him in a three-way tie atop the record book.

The former Blue Devil holds fifth place for most career passing touchdowns (32), and is ninth in career completion percentage (53.0). He is third all-time in career total yards (6,725), and sixth in career touchdowns-responsible-for (49).

UMass went 26-19 during Palazzi's four years in Amherst. When he was a senior, Palazzi led the Minutemen to a Yankee Conference Championship, an 8-4 (6-2 conference) record, and a berth into the I-AA playoffs. Palazzi passed for 2,102 yards in 1988, with 15 touchdowns, while rushing for 700 yards and five scores.

"I was excited for them to pay for my education," Palazzi said. "Just to meet the players that I met and be able to travel where I traveled, and play at that high level. The records are whatever they are, but I tell my kids that I coach now that I remember the times before the games, scoring touchdowns and winning with my teammates, and enjoying successes with my teammates. That's what I remember most."

National champs

It was a special year for the UMass football program in 1998, as the Minutemen won their first and only national championship at the I-AA level. UMass finished the season 12-3 (6-2 A-10), securing the Atlantic 10 title, and then ran the table in the playoffs, defeating Georgia Southern 55-43 in the national championship game.

Dawson was fourth on the team with 103 total tackles in 1998, including 70 unassisted tackles. The three-year starter finished his career with 250 tackles, 30 tackles for losses, 11.5 sacks and 11 pass breakups. Dawson is near the top of the record book in three UMass categories, including the 10th-most yards from sacks (111), third-most fumble recoveries (7) and sixth-most yards from tackles for losses (156). Dawson also served as a captain during his senior season in 1999.

Schneider had 55 tackles in 1998 as a sophomore, including 29 solo stops. He shined bright in the national championship game with four tackles and a fumble recovery. The three-year starter posted 174 career tackles and is tied for second all-time at UMass in career QB hurry-ups (26).

The 1998 season was the second year for Bolden as the starting left tackle, and he opened up a number of holes for NFL-bound running back Marcel Shipp. Holston rushed for 30 yards in 1998 and had 51 all-purpose yards.

1-2 punch

In 2010, a pair of local athletes split duties for UMass' ground-and-pound rushing attack. Redshirt junior and Leominster High alumnus Jonathan Hernandez rushed for 938 yards and scored 10 touchdowns (9 rushing). Northeastern University senior transfer and Oakmont Regional grad John Griffin, meanwhile rushed for 843 yards and five scores. The backs combined to rush for an average of 161.9 yards per game.

The highlight of the season came against the heavily favored Michigan Wolverines of the FBS, ranked 20th in the nation. Hernandez rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns, and Griffin added 96 yards on the ground, but the Minutemen fell short of pulling off the colossal upset, with a 42-37 loss at The Big House.

Hernandez continued to pile up impressive performances during his senior season in 2011, finishing with 2,627 career rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns (29 rushing).

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